9 Simple Swaps For A Non-Toxic Kitchen
From pots and pans to cleaning supplies, I’m sharing simple swaps to detox your kitchen and reduce your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals. If you’re worried about toxins in your kitchen, try these 9 simple steps to a non-toxic kitchen.
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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home—it’s where every meal is prepared to sustain your family. And you probably put a lot of effort into getting healthy food on the table. But beyond balanced meals and organic food, you might not realize that some of the pots and pans you cook with and the cleaners you use may contain chemicals that are potentially harmful to the health of your family.
If you want to reduce your family’s exposure to toxins, the kitchen is a great place to start. Look below for simple kitchen swaps to detox your kitchen and reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in the kitchen. You can make small changes in the kitchen and then move on to other rooms in your home, making simple swaps to detox your entire home.
1. Ditch Non-Stick Cookware
With an easy-to-clean surface, non-stick cookware is a hard one to give up. But, you’ll be one step closer to a non-toxic home once you do. As I mentioned above, we ditched our non-stick cookware 10 years ago, and I can tell you it’s completely doable!
The problem with non-stick cookware and bakeware is the material used to create the non-stick surface. Non-stick coatings like Teflon contain per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals. At high heat (500°F), the non-stick coating releases fumes that are potentially harmful to your health. PFAS has even been linked to certain types of cancer.
Have you heard the term “canary in a coalmine”? In this case, it’s “canary in the kitchen”. Hundreds of pet bird deaths have been blamed on toxic emissions from non-stick cookware.
Are you thinking that there’s no way your non-stick pans could get 500°F hot? Good Housekeeping performed a test to determine how fast three sets of non-stick pans (cheap and light, midweight, and heavy, high end) heat up past 500°F. All three pans heated up past 500°F in just minutes!
In our kitchen, we use a combination of stainless steel pots and pans and baking sheets, a ceramic Dutch oven, glass casserole dishes and a stoneware muffin tin and loaf pan. If you do have stuck-on food, soaking the pan for 10 minutes gets most food off.
There are plenty of great non-toxic cookware options for all home cooks. Home bakers can prepare muffins, cakes, cookies and more with impressive non-toxic bakeware options.
Non-Toxic Cookware And Bakeware Swaps
All Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set– 18/8 stainless steel, 3-ply bonded.
Pyrex Deep Baking Dish Set With BPA-Free Lids– Thermal-resistant glass baking dish set.
Le Creuset White Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven– The interior enamel coating is in compliance with California Proposition 65.
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro– This non-stick saute pan is a fully clad tri-ply stainless steel pan with an aluminum core. The titanium is then applied, molded, and thermally oxidized over the stainless steel. The Titanium layer is molded into hexagonal structures that mimic the Lotus Effect, the name given to the water-repellent and self-cleaning properties of the lotus flower.
Caraway– PFAS-Free Ceramic coated cookware and bakeware without potentially dangerous chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, Lead, and Cadmium. I use Caraway cake pans and muffin tins- I love that my baked goods don’t stick and I don’t have to worry about exposure to PFAS chemicals.
Field Cast Iron Skillet– If seasoned regularly, this creates a natural non-stick coating for the cast iron surface. Lodge Cast Iron is a more budget-friendly option, but Field is slightly lighter (which I like).
Xtrema– 100% pure ceramic cookware from reputable companies is PFAS-free and non-toxic, and contains no glues, polymers, coatings or dyes.
Teamfar Stainless Steel Baking Sheets– I use stainless steel baking sheets for both cooking and baking.
2. Swap Conventional Kitchen Cleaner For Non-Toxic Cleaner
Your kitchen cleaning routine shouldn’t involve using harmful toxins. It’s possible you’re breathing in asthma-inducing fumes and leaving a harmful residue where you prep and eat your food.
A bottle of Formula 409 Antibacterial Kitchen All-Purpose Lemon Fresh Cleaner gets a score of F from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Several of the ingredients can cause respiratory effects, skin allergies and irritation, nervous system effects, general system/organ effects, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Greenwashing- watch out for companies that advertise all-purpose cleaners as “natural” without checking the EWG score. Method All-Purpose French Lavender Surface Cleaner also gets a score of F from the EWG. Several of the ingredients can cause respiratory effects, skin allergies and irritation, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Replace conventional kitchen cleaners with a toxin-free option. Find more recommendations for non-toxic dish soap and non-toxic all purpose cleaners. Below are kitchen cleaners that don’t contain harmful ingredients like endocrine disrupting chemicals. They all get top grades from the EWG.
Non-Toxic Kitchen Cleaner Swaps
Branch Basics– This concentrated non-toxic cleaner was created with the most sensitive in mind, is gentle enough to use on skin yet cuts grease and grime, and replaces all the toxic cleaning products in your home.
Force of Nature– Electricity converts tap water, plus a capsule of salt, water & vinegar, into a cleaning powerhouse. One bottle cleans, deodorizes, disinfects and sanitizes. No toxins means no rinsing necessary.
Attitude All Purpose Cleaner– Contains plant- and mineral- based ingredients like saponin, a natural cleansing agent, your entire house will be sparkling clean! This powerful ECOLOGO Certified sustainable and biodegradable cleaner removes scum, mold and dust.
Attitude Dish Soap– This dish soap is ECOLOGO® Certified, sustainable and biodegradable and uses natural and plant-based ingredients.
Blueland Dishwasher Tablets– These dishwashing tablets come free of PVA/PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), and the starter pack includes 1 Forever Tin and 40 Dishwasher Tablets. Once empty, simply refill with more tablets. Refills packaged in compostable paper pouches.
3. Replace Plastic Food Storage With Glass
Why risk storing your food in plastic containers that may leach chemicals? BPA is a known endocrine disruptor, and manufacturers have created a slew of plastic kitchen products that are BPA-free.
BUT, plastic containers labeled “BPA-free” don’t necessarily mean they’re any safer. They may contain other bisphenols, such as BPS, which have the same harmful properties as BPA. Even bisphenol-free plastics may contain other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The best solution is to store your leftovers in glass storage containers with lids.
Glass Food Storage
Bayco Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers With BPA-Free Lids– Made from high-quality borosilicate glass. These food prep containers come highly recommended.
EcoEvo Glass & Silicone Food Storage Containers– These food storage containers are made with Food Grade Silicone and Premium Borosilicate Glass materials only. They lock air out and seal in freshness without any harmful chemicals.
Wean Green Glass Baby Food Storage Containers– Eco-friendly, tempered glass with BPA-free lids. Freezer, Dishwasher & Reheat Safe. They make sizes that are perfect for baby food storage!
Duralex– Extremely durable tempered glass- these bowls can be used for serving, food prep and food storage. Microwave and dishwasher safe. The lids are BPA-free.
Pyrex 18 Piece Glass Rectangular And Round Food Container Set– Durable, pure Pyrex® glass is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe, and because it’s stain and odor-resistant. We’ve had Pyrex food storage in our house for 2 decades!
Frego Glass & Silicone Food Containers– I’ve been searching for glass containers with silicone lids, and these award-winning plastic-free glass and silicone food containers were just what I wanted! Frego food storage contains no BPA, PVC or other toxins. Oven, Microwave and Dishwasher safe (even the silicone lids!) with borosilicate glass to offer better thermal range. I love that I can safely wash the lids in the dishwasher with no worry of plasticizers leaching!
4. Choose PFAS-Free & Low Plastic Appliances
Small kitchen appliances can be loaded with toxins like PFAS and plastics. If you’re trying to reduce the number of toxins in your kitchen, have a closer look at all of your small kitchen appliances like your coffee maker, blender, toaster, air fryer and more.
The two biggest toxins that stand out to me are plastic parts and PFAS coatings (used for non-stick surfaces like a waffle maker). It’s hard to avoid any plastic parts on small kitchen appliances, but the main thing I look for is the material used for the food reservoir- I like either glass or stainless steel. If you’re concerned about your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals, it’s important to find appliances that have stainless steel or glass parts that come into contact with the food. Find more non-toxic small kitchen appliance recommendations.
Non-Toxic Kitchen Appliances
Black + Decker Powercrush Blender– features a 6-Cup borosilicate glass jar with a 4-tip stainless steel blending blade.
Bear 8-Cup Food Processor– Features two sets of blades and two glass bowls of different sizes.
Pohl Schmidt Electric Glass Kettle– Borosilicate glass electric cordless kettle with a stainless steel plate.
Masterchef Cordless Stainless Steel Immersion Blender– All attachments are made of professional grade stainless-steel. With variable speed controls.
Greenpan Belgian Waffle Maker– The non-stick coating is ceramic-coated aluminum, and it is free from all PFAS chemicals.
Instant Pot Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker– All of the internal parts are stainless steel.
Our Place Wonder Oven– This appliance can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil. Both the inside and outside of the oven are PFAS-free.
Luxhaus Stainless Steel Moka Coffee Pot– Stainless steel stovetop coffee pot.
5. Non-Toxic Meal Prep
From cutting veggies to slicing meat, your meal preparation routine can introduce toxins into your food. Take some simple steps to reduce your toxin exposure when prepping food.
- Plastic cutting boards may contain chemicals like phthalates, DEHA and Bisphenols, all of which are endocrine disruptors, that are often used in the production of plastic items. If you place hot food on a cutting board or if the board is scratched, this can cause either chemical leaching or microscopic pieces of plastic to migrate onto your food. Find more non-toxic cutting boards here.
- Some knife blades are coated in PFAS chemicals to give the knife non-stick properties. Choose 100% stainless steel knives.
- It’s time to ditch your plastic mixing bowls. Plastics can shed tiny nano and microplastic bits. Switch to stainless steel or glass prep bowls.
- Whether you’re baking a sheet pan meal or chocolate chip cookies, ditch your non-stick pan and opt for stainless steel instead.
Non-Toxic Meal Prep Tools
Caraway Cutting Board Set– A Large, Medium, and Small cutting board made with FSC-certified Birch Wood and finished with food-safe mineral oil & wax.
Astercook Knife Set– A 15-piece high carbon stainless steel German-engineered knife set
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls– includes 1.5-quart, 3-quart, and 5-quart bowls made of durable stainless steel
TeamFar Stainless Steel Baking Sheets– made of high quality pure 430 18/0 stainless steel without chemical coating or any other materials, Rust resistant and durable for many years
6. Filter Your Water
The water coming out of the tap in your kitchen faucet may be loaded with contaminants. Arsenic, disinfection byproducts and radioactive contaminants are at the top of the list. Ingestion of arsenic-tainted water over a long period of time has been linked to an increased risk of skin and bladder cancer.
If there’s radium in your water (ours is slightly above the legal limit at the time of this writing), then you’re at risk for serious health issues. Exposure to high levels of radium is associated with an increased risk of bone, liver and breast cancer.
In the U.S. today, almost one-third of the drinking water supply is still serviced through lead lines. Lead exposure is linked to brain and nervous system complications in children.
And if that’s not enough, the EWG reports that there are no legal limits for more than 160 unregulated contaminants in U.S. tap water.
The EWG has a tap water database linked by zip code. Enter your zip code to learn if there are contaminants in your drinking water. If your water source comes from a private well, you are responsible for contaminant testing.
Options To Filter Your Drinking Water
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher– Features Affinity® Filtration Technology to target 365+ contaminants. proven protection from fluoride, chlorine, lead, PFAS, arsenic & hundreds of other dangers, including those ordinary filters overlook.
Aqua Tru Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter– Patented 4-stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis® technology. Certified to NSF standards to remove contaminants, including lead, arsenic, PFAs, fluoride, chlorine, nitrates and many more. Filters last from 6 months to 2 years.
Clearly Filtered Water Bottle– The hidden filter inside protects you from hundreds of contaminants with every sip, while the double-walled, stainless-steel exterior keeps your water cool. Get yours today to enjoy filtered water on the fly.
Apec Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Water Filter– Guaranteed to remove up to 99% of harmful water contaminants such as chlorine, taste, odor, VOCs, as well as toxic fluoride, sodium, arsenic, lead, nitrates, heavy metals and much more. Provides fast flow rate with no wait time.
7. Swap Out Your Plastic Cooking Utensils
When exposed to heat, toxic chemicals can leach out of plastic, and if you’re using plastic cooking utensils, chances are there are harmful chemicals leaching into your food as you cook and stir. If you’re using black plastic cooking utensils, it’s entirely possible that flame retardants (including polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) are leaching into your food.
Using non-toxic kitchen utensils will help to safeguard your health and the health of your family. Find more non-toxic kitchen utensils here.
Non-Toxic Cooking Utensils
9-Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set– Made of food-grade heavy duty 304 stainless steel.
7 Piece Wooden Utensil Set– meticulously crafted from teak wood and delicately finished with organic olive oil.
Tovolo 5-Piece Silicone Spatula Set– made of food safe silicone.
8. Replace Plastic Wrap And Plastic Baggies
Plastic wrap and plastic baggies are just so handy…but they’re made with potential endocrine disruptors. Although phthalates were phased out of plastic wrap in 2006, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) are now used.
LDPE may contain diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA), a potential endocrine disruptor and carcinogen. Another reason to make the swap? All that plastic builds up in landfills, adding to our long-term waste problem.
Sending my kids to school without a ton of single-use plastic in their lunch is something I’ve gotten better about, and there are so many stainless steel snack and lunch container options that work great on-the-go!
Non-Plastic Swaps For Plastic Wrap & Plastic Baggies
Beeswrap Clover Wax Food Wrap– Beeswax is what gives these sheets of organic cotton material its sticking power. The warmth of your hands helps you mold the wrap around food, bowls or plates. Washable and reusable over and over again.
Ukonserve Stainless Steel Lunch Containers– Made of 304 (18/8) stainless steel. The lids are plastic-free, durable, flexible, platinum-grade silicone.
Reusable Silicone Bowl Lids– These food-safe silicone lids create a tight seal on bowls and are both microwave and dishwasher safe.
Stasher– Made with incredibly durable, food-grade platinum silicone.
Spaza Cotton Dish Covers– Breathable cotton, no sweating of leafy greens and condensation.
9. Swap Paper Towels For Washcloths
I’ve made a lot of changes toward a non-toxic kitchen in the past 10 years, but paper towels just weren’t on my radar until now. This last step is the one I worry about the least. Although I still keep paper towels around for really gross messes, I have for the most part switched to using washcloths and rags. Here’s what I’ve just learned: paper towels may contain formaldehyde, chlorine, and BPA.
Formaldehyde containing resins give paper towels their wet strength (durability when wet). Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and is associated with irritation of the eyes, skin and throat.
Chlorine gives paper towels their characteristic white color. Dioxin is a by-product of the bleaching process, and exposure to dioxins can lead to altered liver function and impairment of the immune system and endocrine system.
BPA contaminates paper towels during the recycling process. BPA is a known endocrine disruptor.
After learning all of this, I’m ready to stop relying on paper towels for drying and clean-up and switch to reusable washcloths. Bonus—I read that switching out paper towels for reusable cloths can save a family $400 a year! Sustainable swaps in the kitchen can really add up for the good of our planet too!
Reusable Alternatives To Paper Towels
Mioeco Reusable Paper Towels– 100% Organic Cotton. Manufactured in a fair trade certified factory. bleach free washable, reusable paper towels. Multi-Purpose & Super Absorbent.
Utopia Bar Mop Towels– 100% cotton and super absorbent.
Floursack Kitchen Towels– 100% cotton, highly absorbent kitchen towels with cheery prints.
Marley’s Monsters Unpaper Towels– Each towel is 12″x10″.Towels are single ply 100% cotton flannel. Edges are sewn for durability and to prevent fraying.
Kitchen + Home Heavy Duty Machine Washable Bamboo Towels– Stronger, more absorbent and more durable than regular paper towels. Made from a sustainable certified organic bamboo source- one roll replaces 60 conventional paper towel rolls and fits in your regular paper towel dispenser. Reusable.
Febu Swedish Dishcloths– Eco-friendly, sustainable and zero waste paper towel alternative. Made from 70% Wood Pulp + 30% Cotton, these kitchen dish towels absorb 20X their weight in water, last up to a year and are completely biodegradable.
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